A WOMAN who spat at police officers while being taken into custody and tried to blame her actions on a chest problem must pay her victim £200 in compensation.

Zoe McNeill lashed out at officers who went to her address in Alderton Road, Colchester, in February this year.

The police were called after McNeill, 38, became aggressive and threatening towards social workers.

Colchester Magistrates’ Court heard on Tuesday how McNeill subjected police to a verbal tirade before she was arrested by PC Nash.

Court – Zoe McNeill appeared before Colchester Magistrates' Court on TuesdayCourt – Zoe McNeill appeared before Colchester Magistrates' Court on Tuesday (Image: Daniel Rees, Newsquest)

Natalie Roberts, prosecuting, said the incident escalated inside the police car as the defendant was being taken to the police station.

She said: “The defendant became agitated and violent towards police and was screaming and shouting.

“She turned her head and spat in the direction of the officer's face.

“Due to being restrained she continued to grab and scratch at the officer's hands and arms.”

Once in custody, McNeill “stuck her fingers in her ears and turned her back on police”, Mrs Roberts added.

When asked in the police station about her behaviour, McNeill said: “What do you expect when I’m getting held down and bloody jumped on and **** like that?”

McNeill then told officers she “had a bad chest and had to spit on the floor”.

The defendant admitted assaulting an emergency worker.

Lucy Osborn, mitigating, said: “It all got very much out of control very quickly – she accepts responsibility for that.

“Most important is that this incident has acted as a very real wake-up call for her. She says she has not drunk since and has engaged in one-on-one sessions with Phoenix Futures.”

Chairman of the bench Jeremy Batchelor sentenced McNeill to four weeks in jail, suspended for one year.

Addressing the defendant, who has a record of assaulting emergency workers, Mr Batchelor acknowledged McNeill was receiving help.

Call-out – after police attended Zoe McNeill's address in Alderton Road, the defendant became aggressive Call-out – after police attended Zoe McNeill's address in Alderton Road, the defendant became aggressive (Image: Google Street View)

He said: "I don’t need to draw you a picture, do I? This has to stop.

“This was a nasty, prolonged assault on an officer who was trying to help you.

“The thing officers like least about their duties is being spat at – it’s absolutely disgusting.”

McNeill must also pay £200 in compensation to her victim, PC Vincent.

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